Carisma Therapeutics is a technology company.
Carisma Therapeutics has raised $148.0M across 5 funding rounds.
Carisma Therapeutics has raised $148.0M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Carisma Therapeutics has raised $148.0M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Carisma Therapeutics's investors include AbbVie Ventures, Agent Capital, Andera Partners, Karista, Longwood Fund, MRL Ventures Fund, Pfizer Venture Investments, Wellington Partners.
Carisma Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered macrophage and monocyte therapies, primarily through its proprietary CAR-M platform, to treat solid tumors, fibrosis, and autoimmune diseases.[1][2] It serves patients with hard-to-treat conditions by reprogramming these innate immune cells to infiltrate tumors, overcome immunosuppressive environments, and activate broader immune responses, addressing limitations of T-cell and NK-cell therapies.[2][3] The company shows growth momentum with an emerging pipeline including CT-1119 (CAR-Monocyte for solid tumors) in Phase 1, in vivo CAR-Macrophages targeting GPC3+ tumors and other oncology indications, CT-2401 for liver fibrosis, and programs for autoimmune diseases, supported by collaborations like the University of Pennsylvania.[3]
Carisma Therapeutics emerged from advances in macrophage biology and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineering, leveraging insights into these cells' natural tumor infiltration abilities.[2][4] The company originated as a spinout tied to research at the University of Pennsylvania, building on adoptive cellular therapy innovations, with a team of biotech veterans including CEO Steven Kelly, who brings decades of pharma experience.[3] Early traction included a $59 million Series B financing in 2021, fueling pipeline advancement from discovery to clinical stages, marking pivotal momentum in immunotherapy development.[5]
Carisma stands out in cell therapy through these key strengths:
Carisma rides the cell therapy wave in immunotherapy, shifting from T-cell dominance (e.g., CAR-T) to myeloid cells like macrophages, which naturally access solid tumor microenvironments amid rising failures of existing therapies in solid cancers.[2] Timing aligns with maturing genetic engineering tools and unmet needs in fibrosis/autoimmunity, where immunosuppressive barriers persist; market forces like scalable in vivo delivery favor Carisma's model over costly autologous cells.[1] It influences the ecosystem by pioneering CAR-M, inspiring hybrid innate-adaptive approaches and collaborations with academia, potentially expanding immunotherapy to non-oncology indications.[3]
Carisma's near-term focus will likely advance Phase 1 readouts for CT-1119 and CT-2401, with in vivo CAR-M programs entering clinic to demonstrate scalability advantages.[3] Trends like in vivo engineering and multi-antigen targeting will shape its path, positioning it to capture share in a $50B+ cell therapy market if efficacy data solidifies macrophage superiority in solids.[1][2] Influence may evolve from niche innovator to leader in myeloid therapies, transforming hard-to-treat diseases—echoing its mission to harness innate immunity for durable, patient-changing impact.[1]
Carisma Therapeutics has raised $148.0M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $30.0M Series C in September 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2022 | $30.0M Series C | AbbVie Ventures, Agent Capital, Andera Partners, Karista, Longwood Fund, MRL Ventures Fund, Pfizer Venture Investments, Wellington Partners | |
| Feb 1, 2021 | $12.0M Series B | AbbVie Ventures, Agent Capital, Andera Partners, Karista, Longwood Fund, MRL Ventures Fund, Pfizer Venture Investments, Wellington Partners | |
| Jan 1, 2021 | $47.0M Series B | AbbVie Ventures, Agent Capital, Andera Partners, Karista, MRL Ventures Fund, Wellington Partners | |
| Aug 1, 2019 | $6.0M Series A | AbbVie Ventures, Agent Capital, MRL Ventures Fund, Wellington Partners | |
| Jun 1, 2018 | $53.0M Series A | AbbVie Ventures, Agent Capital, Andera Partners, Karista, MRL Ventures Fund, Wellington Partners |